Team of Boldvoices | 15 November 2026
Australia’s Skills in Demand visa gives employers a route to sponsor workers from overseas. For Core Skills nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 through 30 June 2027, the Department of Home Affairs lists a Core Skills Income Threshold of A$79,423, up from A$76,515 in the previous nomination year.
What a compliant offer looks like
Take two hypothetical offers, both for nominations lodged in November 2026. In the first, the employer offers A$78,000 in guaranteed annual pay and values the accommodation at A$5,000. The cash pay is below the A$79,423 floor. In the second, the employer offers A$81,000, but the annual market salary for a comparable Australian worker is A$86,000. Where the market salary rules apply, that second offer still falls short. Ask for a breakdown of guaranteed earnings before comparing packages.
Who does what
Your employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate the position. Ask who is preparing the nomination, what duties and location it covers, and which occupation code they intend to use. Your own application covers experience, English, identity, health and character. The Core Skills stream generally requires at least a year of relevant experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. Count the periods you can support with evidence before paying application costs. Review the nominated duties against your actual experience, especially if your Indian job title differs from the Australian title.
Put together evidence you can substantiate
Request employer letters with dates, duties and hours, and retain supporting records such as payslips, contracts or tax documents. Gather qualifications and transcripts, passport details, and evidence of any required professional registration or skills assessment. Check the current English testing rules for your test date. Home Affairs generally requires an approved test unless you qualify for an exemption and can document it.
Budget for the application and the wait
Home Affairs lists the Core Skills stream from A$4,015 for the visa application. Add any English testing, health examinations, police certificates, translations and dependant charges that apply to your case. Use the visa pricing estimator for your household and the processing-time guide for a recent range. The employer’s nomination and your visa are separate decisions. Confirm the sponsor’s timetable before resigning or making relocation commitments.
Questions to send the employer before you sign
Ask for the occupation code, guaranteed pay excluding non-cash benefits, the comparable Australian salary, expected nomination date and work location. If the position needs registration, ask whether you must hold it before you start and how long it will take. A written reply lets you identify any gap while it can still be fixed.
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